Sambafoot World Cup predictions

Here at Sambafoot, we’ve decided to give our ‘expert’ opinions on various happenings at the impending World Cup in Brazil. In a tournament that often throws up surprises, let’s have a look at how our contributors Daniel Baird, Stuart MacLennan, Luca Persico and George Sessions, as well as Sambafoot Sunday’s James Nalton and managing director Frederic Fausser, predict how the competition may unfold:

1. Who do you think will win the World Cup?

DB: Brazil

SM: Brazil

LP: Spain

GS: Argentina

JN: Argentina

FF: Brazil

2. Which team do you think will exceed their own expectations?

DB: Japan

SM: Bosnia

LP: Chile

GS: England

JN: France

FF: France

3. Which established player will light up the World Cup?

DB: Luis Suarez

SM: Lionel Messi

LP: Lionel Messi

GS: Lionel Messi

JN: Angel di Maria

FF: Neymar

4. Which player will make a name for himself during the competition?

DB: Eden Hazard (Belgium)

SM: Bernard (Brazil)

LP: Paul Pogba (France)

GS: Ivan Rakitic (Croatia)

JN: Josip Drmic (Switzerland)

FF: Oscar (Brazil)

Well, there you have it. According to the Sambafoot panel, South American teams will dominate this summer, with a heavy opinion resting on both Brazil and Argentina –and in particular Lionel Messi- to take the World Cup by storm. Keep your eyes on our predictions to see if we have called it correctly and remember you can follow all of Brazil’s games through our extensive live commentary service and match reports after the action has finished.